Recreation Guy

Last week three of us went to the local elementary school and put on a game show during lunchtime for the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. The game show was “Let’s Make a Deal!”

Okay so we didn’t have a big set with huge prizes and kids dressing up in banana suits. But we did have a good time.

This was the first time at this school that I had tried to do a major lunchtime activity. I wasn’t sure what to expect. The school had made an announcement in the morning and again right before lunch that the recreation department was going to run a game show. A few kids came up to us as we were setting up and I thought, “Okay, we may have more than 5 kids for this.” By the end of our show there were 50-60 kids yelling with excitement. It was great.

If you think that you may want to run your own Let’s Make a Deal here’s what to do:

• A few days before go to the Dollar Store and get 10-20 prizes. You can get some pretty neat toys and stuffed animals for $1 each there.
• Then go to a party store and get some small party prizes that are around $.20 each. You may have some party favors left over from your last Oriental Trading order.
• Next, put together different sizes and types of containers.
  • Shoe boxes that are decorated
  • Shipping boxes that are decorated
  • A cash box
  • A sombrero to put a prize under
  • A cylinder container
  • Envelopes
  • A large manila envelope
  • etc.
• Write out what boxes and prizes you’ll use for each round (ex. green shoebox with stuffed animal vs. cash box that is empty). This way you’ll know where the prizes are and are not.
• Before lunch time set up 2 tables – 1 table as a working table that will hold the containers until you’re ready to use them and 1 table as the show table where contestants will choose their container. If possible put a fun, colorful table cloth on it.
• Wear funny hats or wigs. The kids always like that (silly recreation staff).
• Have all the students sit down (they’ll be standing with excitement once things get started).
• Explain the rules and how it all works.
• Begin with one staff member calling out for an item (Who can show me a red pen?). The first student to come up with a red pen will get one of the small party prizes. After a few of these are given out a contestant should be chosen in the same manner (Who can show me a Nike shoe?).
• Once the contestant is chosen have another staff member take over.
• Find out the student’s name and have the crowd say “Hello”.
• Now give the contestant a chance to win a prize. “Cindy, I have here a green box. Now in this green box there is either a prize for you or nothing at all. Here I have a cash box. The same holds true for this box, either there is a prize for you or nothing at all. Which box would you like?” After Cindy chooses a box I try to buy the box back by offering her a couple of the little $.20 prizes. Not too many kids will go for that. If Cindy chooses the empty box, give her one of the small prizes as a consolation gift.
• After the contestant is finished have the other staff member go back to asking the crowd for items and giving out the small prizes.
• While this is happening get the next containers on the show table.
• Continue until you are out of prizes or time has run out.

We had a great time and the kids (even the ones that were not chosen) loved it. The school loved having us as well. We’ve decided that we are going to do a monthly game show. I’m not sure which game show we will do next month. Any suggestions?